Monthly security update releases are available through the following channels: Most organizations consider monthly security update releases as mandatory. These updates help keep Windows devices secure and compliant by deploying stability fixes and addressing security vulnerabilities. The release includes both new and previously released security fixes, along with non-security content introduced in the prior month's Optional non-security preview release. Monthly security update releases are cumulative. B week releases (meaning the second week of the month).This release might commonly be referred to as: The monthly security update release is published on the second Tuesday of each month, typically at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT). Most people are familiar with the monthly security update release. Periodically included in an optional non-security preview release then in the monthly security update releases Introduces new features and enhancements for Windows 11 Once a year in the second half of the calendar year Resolves a recently identified issue or vulnerabilityĪn update with new features and enhancements that also changes the Windows version Second Tuesday of each month, typically published at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT)Īn optional cumulative update release that's typically used for early validation of the monthly security update releaseįourth Tuesday of each month, typically published at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT) Types of update releases Release typeĪ cumulative update release that includes both security and non-security content

This article provides details on the types of updates that Microsoft provides, and how they help make the overall user experience simple and consistent. Reliability and vulnerability issues can occur when only a subset of fixes is installed. They include all previously released fixes to guard against fragmentation of the operating system. Updates for the Windows client OS are typically cumulative. They provide your users and IT administrators with the security fixes they need, and protect devices so that unpatched vulnerabilities can't be exploited. Windows updates help you to stay productive and protected.

Cumulative updates